Critique Groups

I went to a writing class here in Houston in 2001 that morphed into a critique group. This was my first experience with a critique group. I saw the advantages, chapter edits, new viewpoints and ideas, a mentor's leadership, but I also saw the disadvantages. The local Sugar Land critique group has been less advantageous than that first one. I've found that this is due primarily to the modus operandi of the group.

For that first group, we students were asked to read one another's work and come prepared to discuss our edits and ideas with the author of the work and the rest of the group. It was a lot of work. Not just the reading, but also producing a new short story for the group each week. The Sugar Land critique group hosts a less strenuous atmosphere. The entire group reads chapters or stories each week and the manuscript is discussed and debated right then. In terms of homework, the second group is easier. Sadly, it offers far less in terms of expert edits and good ideas. I would gladly trade some of my free time for this group to change its methods and require that the group do some homework. Additionally, who wants to give up five hours on a Saturday morning to a bunch of fellow writers whose edits and suggestions are well thought out or worthwhile. Naturally, I don't go to the Sugar Land group anymore.

I found an online group a few months ago and I am extremely pleased with it. Members are asked to download, edit, critique three stories by other members in exchange for uploading one of their own. It's been tough sometimes to keep up the pace of reading and keep track of the administrative duties involved in the little online group, but I'm finally seeing the same advantages that I'd hoped to find from my local group. I've discovered that the edits I'm receiving are well thought out and constructive, conversely, the other writers have written to tell me that they appreciate my own edits and ideas on their work. The only thing missing is a mentor to help guide the work and provide a firm, stabilizing presence. But, I'll take that over the quick edits of the Sugar Land group.

In Stephen King's book On Writing that I read last month, King discussed critique groups. He feels that they are wholly unnecessary. He has beta readers and friends and family who help him write and edit, but as far as a group of contemporaries who help him mold and craft his stories, there aint one, and he didn't necessarily advocate having one in his book. I'm happy that I've finally found a critique group that combines many of the advantages of the first critique group with the ease and simplicity that I was looking for.